Building construction



AApril 1s, 1939. PBOGGS' 2,155,216

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 'Filed Dec. 24, .1955 4 sheets-sheet 1 l -I gam/MM April 18, 1939.

J. P. BoGGs 2,155,216

BUILDYING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 24. l1955 4 sheets-sheet 2 l 'JameJ ,Da/mer Begg;

. April 1a, 1939'.

J. P. BOGGS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Dec. 24, 1935 4 Sheet's-Sheet 3 gmc/rm j .jd/ne.; ,Da/mer 'Bogyw 1 MMM Patented Apr'. 1s, 1939 l UNITED sTA'll-:s

Parslirv OFFICE 2,155,216 unmmGpoNsmUc'rroN James Palmer Boggs, Denver, oio. Applicationrnember '24, 1935, serial-Nu. 56,035

This invention lrelates to the construction of buildings, such as may be employed for the housing of humans and animals 'and for the storage and protection of materials and supplies, and

more particularly to building construction of prefabricated type, and has as an object to provide an improved constructionof the character and for the purpose set forth.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement of `units cooperable to form a complete building o prefabricated type.

1 A further object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated building construcl tion which vis arranged for ready assemblyvwithout-the' employment of specialized skill and facilities. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved building construction susceptible of ready disassembly for transportation to and reerection on a new site. y

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated building construction which is readily susceptible of expansion and contraction to provide a building of a size adapted to varying specic requirements.

A further object of the invention is to provide V an improved prefabricated building construction wherein the constituent units are relatively small,

suiilciently light to permit of convenient handling,

and easily transportable.l

A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved prefabricated building construction wherein the constituent units may be readily pre- 35 fabricated of relatively inexpensive, commonly available vmaterials with skill and facilities commonly available. A

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved prefabricated building construction particularly vadaptable for erection on sites notv A conveniently accessible, which is rigid 'and substantial in erected form, which provides a maximum of available, unobstructed, 4interior space,

and which is particularly desirable for-the tem- Dorary housing of rapidly accumulated concentrations of men, animals and supplies.

.My invention consists inthe construction, arrangement and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in

which- Figure 1 isa lhalf-sectionaltop plan view of an erectedl building wherein are embodied the princi'ples of the instant invention. Figure 2 is a side u elevation of the construction shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a half-sectional endelevation, on ari enlarged scale, of p the construction shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a section, on a further enlarged scale, taken transversely of the l ,showing of Figures 1 and 2, a portion of the view l 'of an outer, lower wall corner construction employed in the present invention. Figure 9 is a fragmentary, detail cross section taken on the in dicated line 9-9 of Figure 8. 'FigurelO'is a fragmentary, detail cross section taken' on the in- 20 dicatedilinelB-IU of Figure 8; Figure 11 is a fragmentary, detail cross section similar to Figure 10 and illustrating an outer corner joint construction employed inthe present invention.

Figure 12 is a top plan view of a oor panel con- 25 struction employed in the 'present invention. Figure 13 is a side elevation of the panel construction illustrated in' Figure 12. Figure r141 is a top plan view of awall vpanelvconstruction employed in the present invention. Figure 15 30 is a cross section taken on the indicated liney IS-IS of Figure 14. Figure 16 is a top plan View of a window wall panel employed in the present invention. Figure 17 is across section taken on the indicated line il-I'l of Figure 16. 35

In the construction of the improvement as shown, the erected building is illustrated as comprising a plurality of rigidly-assembled, identical, bents suitably spaced apart for covering and interconnectionbymeans of a plurality of unitary 40 panels to form the -desired enclosure. Each of the bent assemblies comprises a pair of arch segments 20 arranged for suitable interconnection of adjacent ends to form a substantially semicircular arch member, and a pair of identical 45 tie-beam units 2| interconnectable at their adjacent ends to form a tie-beam assembly adapted to engage the arch assembly adjacent its spring* line to immobilize the otherwise free ends of the arch assembly. Each ofl the arch sections 20'is 50- formed as a rigid, arcua'ainit comprising a, segment of substantially ninety degrees of curvature and may be of any suitable or desired specific construction, the drawings illustrating laminated arch-segments 20 constructed of a V'plurality ofrelatively thin, easily curved elements rigidly interconnected in overlying relation to form the desired unit, which construction is readily adapt- 'ed to development from any ordinary lumber with the usually-availablefacilities. To form the arch assembly of a given bent, corresponding ends of two arch segments 20 are abutted in slightly spaced relation and are rigidly interconnected by means of tie-plates 22 and 23 overlapped vacross the labutted ends of th'e arch segments and removably clamped in such relation by means of a plurality of ,bolts 24 engaging through said plates and ends of the arch segments. To facilitate such limited articulation as may be desired for: various reasons between the interconnected ends of the arch segments 20, a short cylindrical block or pipe section 25 is preferably 4interposed andclamped between the abutted ends of each pair of arch segments 20. Each pair of arch segments 20 is thus suitably rigidly interconnected to form a substantially semi-circular arched unit with the abutted', interconnected ends of the arch segments at the crown of the arch unit, The tie-beam units 2| each comprise a pair of identical beam elements 26 arranged in parallel relation and 4spaced apart a distance approximating the width of an arch segment 20 by means of spacer blocks 21' positioned andv rigidly clamped between the members 26 by means of bolts 23. The blocks 21 are positioned at each end of a tie-beam unit 2| and the blocks 21 with corresponding inner ends of said tie-beam units are arranged to be employed inthe removable aligned vinterconnection of a pair of said tiebeams to form one rigid, continuous beam assembly, as is indicated in Figure 4, other blocks 21 being clamped between the members 26 in .spaced relation inwardly of the beamassembly from the blocks 21 at the Ifree ends of said assembly to provide a socket adjacent each" end of the beam assembly of a'size. to receive a free end of the arch assembly, which latter is thereby supported and held against movement of its otherwise free lel relation with corresponding crowns and ends aligned perpendicularly tothe disposition of their tie-beams, 'and are interconnected in such relationbymeans of a relatively long, straight ridge beam 29 extending longitudinally in Y interconnecting relation between the crown points of adjacent bents and notched at each bent to engage against and fit snugly over each arch assembly. The ridge beam 29 may' be a single unit for buildings ofrelatively limited length, or may be w a composite unit formed through therigid interhaving a length approximating the distance between the longitudinal center lines of adjacent connection of shorter elements, when such construction is expedient or desirable. Additional beams 30, similar to the rige beam.29, are disposed longitudinally of the frame provided by the spaced parallel bents in parallel relation with said ridge beam 28 andspaced uniformly therefromv to divide each' arch assembly into uniform segments on eachside of said ridge beam, said beams 3l thus being employed as purlins notched over each arch assembly'tosuitably space, brace anrlposition the frame formed thereby. The

beams 29 and 30 preferably are not fixed or secured to the arch assemblies in any manner other than by their notched engagement thereover. but are positioned and held relative to such arch assemblies through cooperation panels hereinafter described.

with enclosure' The frame provided by the arch assemblies and l beams 29' and 3|) presents a plurality of rectangular open spaces of preferably uniform size, which spaces are adapted to be closed by means of suitable fitted panels to form an enclosure. The panel elements employed, to cover the frame above described may be of any desired specic matched sheathing or equivalent material toy present a smooth, unbroken exterior surface, the sheathing extending somewhat beyond the panel frame along the normally lower long margin of the panel to provide a step or shoulder, as is clearly shown in Figure 7. Theinner surface of the panel 3| maybe finished, when desired, with a sheet of finish or insulating material, such as is indicated bythe numeral 32, such iinishproviding a dead-air insulating space between inner and outersurfaces of the panel as well as enhancing the appearance and finish presented by said panel interiorly of the completed building.

The windowed panel shown in Figures 16 and 17 and indicated by the numeral 33, is essentially' the same as the panel 3l and differs from the latter only in that the bracing of the panel frame is arranged to outline a windowv aperture whereon is suitably supportedY a window sash unit` 34. For purposes of ventilation, the window sash unit 34 is preferably hinged along its normal upper margin to the panel 33 and thereby arranged to swing outwardly and upwardly from said panel at times, and suitable guard strips 35 and sills 36 are provided and arranged to prevent leakage through the joints between the, sash unit.

34 and panel assembly 33. Asin the .case of the panel 3|, the interior surface of the panel 33 may be covered, save for the window aperture by a sheet offlnish or insulating material 31, the window aperture being screened, when desired, to

. protect the interior lof the lbuilding against the entrance of illes and other insects.

form of a plurality of identical panels illustrated in Figures l2 Iand 13 and indicated generally by the numeral 38, each of said panels comprising a plurality of identical joist members 39'. each indicated at 4| Afor engagement about -arch sq- 75- co A oor for the building is provided in the.

ments rising from the tie-beam units. As is clearly shown in Figure 1, two floor panel umts 38 may be positioned and aligned-to form the space between adjacent bents -of the building frame, said panels extending beyond the arch segments to vertical alignment of their outer ends with the ends oi the tie-beam assemblies, as is clearly shown in Figure 8, a suitable strip or shoulder 42 being provided on each arch segment at the line of floor panel intersection therewith to engage under and support the notched portions of the oor panels engaged thereabout.

With the oor panels 38 in position to entirely cover the ioor space ci' a given frame arrangement, a row oi panels 3i is positioned with their lower long margins engaging ends of the oor panels between adjacent arch assemblies and their upper margins resting against` the lower of the purlins 3b,- the projecting portion of the panel sheathing extending downwardly past-the junction oi the side panel frame with the sur- 4face of the oor panel for weather protection of the joint therebetween, as is clearly shown in Figure 8, adjacent edges of the panel units 3l being abutted to form vertical joints aligned with and over the longitudinal median lines of the arch assemblies. The panels 3i are held in the desired relation with and on the building frame assembly by means of suitable bolts t3 preferably engaging through a suitable metallic retainer bar de positioned in aligned recesses formed in adjacent margins of the panels 3i in overlying relation withl the joint therebetween and extending through said panels in embracing relation with and on opposite sides of the adjacent arch segment 2G to clamping connection through a retainer bar d engaging against the inner side of said arch segment, the bolts t3 thus serving to rmly clamp the lower adjacent corners of adjacent panels 3l to an arch segment 2B and simultaneously hold the upper margins of said panels' rmly against the lower of the purlins 3l). With the lower row of panels 3|` positioned as above described, a second row of panels, shown in this instance as comprising windowed panels 33, is installed in covering relation with the frame spaces between the iirst and second of the purlins 30, said panels engaging with their lower long margins supported on the upper longl margins of the rst row of panels and their upper long margins resting against thesecond of the purlins Bil, lower adjacent corners of the second row of panels being clamped to the adjacent arch segment 20 by means ofbolts 43 and plates 46 and 45 in the manner previously described forl the rst row of panels, as is clearly shown in Figure 7. Additional` rows of panels 3l or 33, in such arrangement as may be desired, vare installed in covering relation with the building frame spaces and are clamped in their installed position by means .of bolts and' retainer plates in the manner previously described, until the frame assembly is entirely covered to form the enclosure dei sired, the panel unitsmeeting on the ridge beam 29 being clamped to said beam by means of an angled ridge plate 68 overlying said panels and clamped by means of bolts 411,1;0 a suitable'plate 48 'engaged beneath and extending at each end laterally beyond the crown portion of the arch assembly. End portions of the frame assembly are closed by means of a central, vertical, framed panel assembly 49 operatively supporting a hinged door 50 andan adjustable Ventilating louvre 5I, oi'. any desired speciflc construction,

3 and by means of complementary panel units 52 framed and shaped to ll the spaces between the central end panel 49 and the marginal outline formed by the panels 3l and 33, portions of the end panels 3| and projecting slightly beyond and tting closely against the adjacent margins of 'the panels 52 and $9, as is clearly shown in Figure 11. End portions of the end panels 3l` While the improvement is illustrated as con-v structed largely of lumber, which material is generally available in stock sizes adapted to the construction shown and described, it is to be understood that the umts ofthe improved ccnstructicn may-be fabricated of metal, suitable composition f matter, such as synthetic lumber, plaster compositions, and the like, all of which lend themselves to suitable adaptation to the specific shapes and arrangements employed for the units of the improved construction, all such materials being contemplated as equivalents for the lumber employed as illustrated and being readily usable in giving practical eect to the improvement without in any way departing from vthe novel principles described and hereinafter claimed.

,Since many changes, modiilcations and variations in the specific construction, form and arrangement ofthe elements shown and described maybe had withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, I Wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a building construction ha an arched, skeleton frame and interchangeable panel elements bridging in covering relation between the arched elements oi said frame, means for positioning and removably securing said panel elements relative to said frame, said means com- -l prising uniformly-spaced, parallel purlins longitudinally oi said frame and engageable by upper margins of said panel elements, shoulders onv -lower margins oi' said panel elements adapted to 2. A building construction comprising a plu` ralityof uniformly-spaced, parallel frame'units, each of said units comprising a rigid, coplanar assembly of two identical unbraced, arcuate rib segments interconnected at adjacent ends to form an arch and a tie-beam base element removably interconnecting the other ends of the rib segments at the spring line of vsaid arch, means y removably interconnecting said units to form a enclosable, skeleton frame, a transverse unitary Aiframe assembly comprising a pair of arcuate.

unbraced, rib segments interconnected at adjacent ends'toiorm an arch and a tie-beam ele- 4 ment removably engaging between the other ends of said segments at the spring line of said arch.

4. In a building lconstruction having a panel- 'enc1osable, skeleton frame, a transverse unitary sockets adjacent its ends adapted to receive the free ends of said ribs, and means for clamping n the ends of said ribs within said sockets to separably connect said tie-beam assembly as a chordbase in vintercoxinecing relation between the spaced ends of said ribs and at the spring line of said arch.

6. In a building construction having an arched skeleton frame and panel elements bridging in covering relation between the arched elements of said frame and overlapping at their lower margins on upper margins of the next lower adjacent panel element, means detachably'connecting said` panel elements with said frame, said means comprising bolts extending inwardly through corresponding adjacent lower corners of separate panel elements and positioned on opposite sides of and extending beyond a frame member, and a clamp bar'slidably on and bridging between inner ends of bolts paired on opposite sides offa frame member for clamped engagement against the inner side of said member.

. JAMES PALMER BOGGS.

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